Kosciusko County hosted the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) Board recently at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.
Organized in partnership by the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, Grace College and OrthoWorx, the meeting highlighted the county’s economic development, community enrichment initiatives and the collaborative efforts driving growth in the region, according to a news release from KEDCO.
The highlight of the meeting was local approval of $3 million in READI 2.0 funding for the Millworks development, a project led by AP Development LLC. Located at the former Owens grocery store site in downtown Warsaw, the project includes a $21 million investment in workforce housing and mixed-use commercial space.
“Warsaw is thrilled to collaborate with the RDA on this transformative Downtown Warsaw project. We extend our sincere gratitude to the many community partners whose support has been instrumental in the development of the Millworks project over the past two years,” said Warsaw Community and Economic Development Director Jeremy Skinner.
Millworks will bring 85 market-rate housing units to the city, along with key amenities such as a rooftop deck, bike storage and pet-friendly facilities.
“We are pleased to see the RDA invest in Warsaw’s vision for the future,” said KEDCO CEO Peggy Friday. “Projects like Millworks are critical to attracting and retaining talent in our community, ensuring that Kosciusko County remains a great place to live and work.”
The RDA, which oversees investments across an 11-county region, has been instrumental in advancing regional development by allocating funds amounting to $137 million in the organization’s existence to projects driving talent attraction, workforce retention and economic growth. Meeting discussion also included potential funding considerations for other Northeast Indiana counties.
In addition to the Millworks investment, the RDA previously granted $1.25 million for the Gatke Warehouse & Lofts project in Warsaw, further cementing Kosciusko County’s commitment to strategic, high-impact development, the release states.
“This approval marks another milestone in our ongoing efforts to create a thriving and sustainable future for Kosciusko County,” said Bob Vitoux, president and CEO of OrthoWorx, a key stakeholder in regional development efforts. “With projects like Millworks and Gatke moving forward, we are strengthening the infrastructure needed to support our growing workforce and business community.”
The meeting was an opportunity for local leaders to engage with the RDA Board and representatives from the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership (NEI), who continue to play a vital role in advocating for business investment and economic resilience in the region, according to the release.
With local approval of funding, Millworks will move to the next phase of development, with construction anticipated to begin later this year.
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